Greater Sudbury Police say business owners and residents downtown have expressed concerns about safety in the area, and the fact those concerns are affecting how the rest of the city views the area.
“We also recognize that occurrences of social disorder and crime can negatively impact the community’s perception of safety in the downtown,” police said in a post Wednesday. “The complaints of social disorder are symptomatic of the issues that are present and visible in most urban downtown centres: homelessness, poverty, unemployment, addictions and mental health.”
While those concerns are leading some to feel unsafe downtown, the release said enforcement alone isn't enough to deal with the issue, and groups must work together.
Police have conducted more than 1,600 “focused patrols” downtown since January 2017, the release said. Focused patrols are when officers dedicate time to specific areas downtown where they see a high risk of problems.
“This is above and beyond regular foot, bike and mobile patrols,” the release said. “Proactive patrols have led to numerous arrests and charges on top of the reactive response generated by calls for service.”
On July 31, a meeting will be held with police, Downtown Sudbury and Greater Sudbury to discuss the ongoing concerns in the downtown.
“Working collaboratively, the Greater Sudbury Police Service, Downtown Sudbury and the City of Greater Sudbury are committed to enhancing safety and well-being and the perceptions of safety in Downtown Sudbury,” the release said.
